Benny Johnson Shuts Down Geraldo Rivera, Brutally Forces Awkward Silence [WATCH]

A fiery exchange unfolded this week on Piers Morgan’s program when commentator Benny Johnson clashed with longtime television personality Geraldo Rivera over the issue of illegal immigration, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The debate, which quickly turned contentious, centered on whether entering the United States illegally constitutes a criminal act.

Rivera attempted to argue that the “only crime” committed by the majority of illegal aliens is their unlawful entry into the country. Johnson challenged that claim directly, pressing Rivera on the definition of “illegal.”

“What do you mean by they’re not criminal aliens? Are you saying that they came here legally or illegally? Which is the answer?” Johnson asked.

Rivera responded, “The only crime the vast majority of these people have committed is coming here illegally. That’s the only crime.”

Johnson countered, “But that makes them criminal.” Rivera then attempted to distinguish illegal aliens from violent gang members such as Tren de Aragua or MS-13, claiming that most commit fewer crimes than American citizens.

Unmoved, Johnson continued, “Respectfully, do you understand the definition of the word ‘illegal’? Because you just said they came here illegally. Do you understand what that means? That means they broke our laws — the laws on the books.”

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Rivera fell silent for several seconds, unable to respond immediately.

The exchange took another turn when Rivera brought up Puerto Ricans, incorrectly suggesting that some had been deported despite their U.S. citizenship. Johnson quickly corrected him, noting:

“Puerto Rican people have American passports, Geraldo. What are you talking about?” Rivera insisted that Puerto Ricans were being harassed by immigration authorities, though he offered no specific examples.

Watch me leave Geraldo Rivera in total stunned silence.

Geraldo claimed illegal aliens are not criminals because the “only crime most of them commit is coming here illegally!”

I asked if Geraldo what the definition of “illegal” means.

*** 7 seconds of silence ***

How we win: pic.twitter.com/0Tvawu0efB

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 5, 2025

Rivera then accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of unfairly targeting “farmers, babysitters, and dishwashers.” Johnson pointed to the 2024 murder of nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed by a Venezuelan gang member linked to Tren de Aragua.

He explained that ICE officers wear masks for the same reason U.S. special forces do when targeting terrorists — to protect themselves and their families from retaliation.

“This is why Tom Homan said, ‘I don’t even live with my wife anymore. I don’t have the security to live with my wife anymore because of how dangerous this job is,’” Johnson said, citing the Border Czar’s experience.

“Give me a f****** break!”

Geraldo Rivera clashes with Benny Johnson over whether ICE has “aggression and an indiscriminate nature” towards immigrants.

https://t.co/uq5J8FFA27@piersmorgan | @bennyjohnson | @GeraldoRivera pic.twitter.com/qpwanAoGht

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) September 4, 2025

Rivera dismissed the comparison, calling it “bullsh*t,” and objected to linking ICE agents with U.S. soldiers fighting overseas.

The debate ended with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions, with Johnson underscoring the dangers of organized gangs such as Tren de Aragua and Rivera continuing to accuse immigration enforcement of racial profiling.

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